We successfully made it through a two-concert day–we began with our second concert in the Castello di Duino at noon, and ended with a 5 pm concert in Udine, a city just north of here. Both concerts featured our wonderful string and piano students, and also featured performances of Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto no. 3.

IMFA string students perform Bach in the Castello di Duino

Our concert venue in Udine was a beautiful convent/church which now houses a prestigious high school. Last year, we performed in the sanctuary of the church of Santa Chiara (Clare of Assisi), but this year, we performed in an adjacent event room, which was equally beautiful and well-suited for chamber music. Our drive to Udine was especially memorable for the fact that we drove through a torrential downpour, the likes of which I haven’t seen in Italy before. It takes something pretty significant to get Italian drivers to pull over on the Auto Strada, but thank goodness, everyone seemed to take the weather seriously.

Before returning to Duino, we were treated to a wonderful catered buffet dinner, compliments of our hosts. All in all, it was a wonderful day of music making and friendship!

Julian, Ilsa, Danny and Sean perform Beethoven op. 18, no. 4.

Alex, Jenaesha, Isaiah and Aaron relax after the concert in Udine.

Grant, Amanda, Lauretta, Malcolm and Max enjoy dinner in the courtyard in Udine.